The western Prince William County delegation to the House of Representatives is split along party lines on whether they will support the pending health care reform legislation due to be voted on in the House Sunday afternoon.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) announced early this afternoon in a press release that he will vote for the Senate-approved bill and the reconciliation package that includes changes to the Senate bill that many House members wanted. The freshman former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman was always considered a "likely" yes vote as he supported the health care bill that passed the House last year. He has said that the current trajectory for health care costs is "unsustainable."

In a press release, Connolly laid out his reasoning for support. "For the past year, my constituents have told me they want health insurance reform, but only if it meets certain tests. Will it bring down premiums for families and small businesses? Will it reduce the deficit? Will it protect their choice of plan and doctor? Will it improve access to care?

"The answer to each of these questions is ‘Yes, it will.'"

A majority of Prince William County is included in the 11th district, including Gainesville, Bristow, Nokesville, the Town of Haymarket and the eastern end of the county.

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th), whose district includes Manassas, the Sudley Road corridor and the northern corridor of James Madison Highway (U.S. 15) in Prince William County, said in a statement: "I do not question the need for Congress to find a way for the millions of Americans without health insurance to be assured of quality, affordable health care. But I believe Congress can do better than the 2,700-page, nearly $1 trillion bill to be voted on in the House the weekend of March 20."

If the Senate bill passes the House, it will move on to Pres. Barack Obama's desk for signature. However, that will not be the end of the health care reform debate as the Senate would still need to approve the reconciliation package passed by the House. If the reconciliation package passes the House Sunday, Senate Democratic leaders have promised to act on it during the following week.

Because the reconciliation package deals strictly with budget-related matters, it is not subject to a filibuster, which means Senate Democrats can pass it with 51 votes without the 60 needed to earn "cloture," which ends debate on the bill. Democrats have a 59-41 majority in the Senate. Vice Pres. Joe Biden, a Democrat, can vote to break a 50-50 tie.